Hard to believe, but after four years and as many iPhone models, AT&T still doesn’t offer insurance for Apple’s iconic handset. That is, until July 17, when the device will finally be eligible for coverage in the carrier’s Mobile Insurance program -- just in time for a new model rumored to arrive in the fall.

MacRumors is reporting that AT&T will no longer treat iPhone customers as second-class citizens when it comes to insurance for their mobile device. The company announced that all models of iPhone will be eligible for the AT&T Mobile Insurance program beginning July 17, after four long years of customers having to seek out alternative insurance while other phones on the carrier had no such problem.

“Please Note: AT&T Mobile Insurance Update: Effective July 17, 2011, the Apple iPhone (all models) will be eligible for coverage with the AT&T Mobile Insurance program (formerly Wireless Phone Insurance),” the announcement reads. “Enrollment restrictions apply. Customers can only enroll within 30 days of a new activation or upgrade, prior activations or upgrades outside of 30 days are not eligible.”

AT&T Mobile Insurance offers protection against loss, theft, accidental physical or liquid damage and mechanical and/or electrical failure. The plan costs $4.99 per month, plus either a $50 or $125 deductible per claim, depending on which device you own.

Meanwhile, Apple has historically replaced “accidentally broken and out-of-warranty iPhones for a flat $199 repair fee,” although that option won’t help you in the event of loss or theft, as MacRumors notes.

Comments

They 100% do offer insurance for all iPhones u have to download an application called mobile protect from the app store and it bills to a credit card separately from your regular AT&T bill. It's done by the exact same company that covers all the other AT&T insurance. It has to be added in the first 30 days of original purchase or upgrade and it's $11.99 a month. That's a fact jack

Whats this about almost $200 AppleCare plan? AppleCare is $69.99 and thats a 1 time fee. and they replace your iPhone without a deductible (even if you damaged it yourself (granted you get a "1 time exception" and it's been my experience having spent countless hours in many apple stores that 8 out of 10 times it always happens that way!)

For $143.88 a year for to mobile protection plan for an iPhone sounds more like a ripoff. Just about half of iPhone users replaced her phone the following year with an upgrade. That would mean that if a person took that option would only be $55.12 shy of a 16 gig iPhone. Yes I know before you decide to make a comeback on this, a lot of people do hold onto their phone for two years or more. So what that means if I had the mobile protection plan for two years I would have paid $287.76 to cover my iPhone which mean I am now only $11.24 shy of a new generation iPhone oh I forgot to say 32 gig. Now, I do understand if something was to happen to your iPhone such as loss or theft given the costs and understanding what insurance really is from the way I take it "just in case" or from a company aspect "hope you never use it", I really don't think it's worth it. swallowed a cost and get another one in the long run it saves money of course you always have losers too. With the plan If you don't lose your phone within the first couple months or if it's not stolen you're losing money.

Yeah but say something happens to your 16GB iPhone 4 and u don't have insurance and are not eligable for upgrade to replace with the same phone it's upwards of 5 to 600 $ to replace it but the deductible for it is $200. Even if AT&T starts offering it normally to your bill like the rest of the insurance they offer I don't see them changing the price from the current mobile protect plan because flat out that is an expensive phone.